Nueva Ecija mayor dead in ambush

Gen. Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote was riding in this vehicle when it was attacked by motorcycle-riding men in Cabanatuan City on Tuesday afternoon. PHOTO BY ARMAND GALANG

Updated (6:45 p.m.)

Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was killed in an ambush in Cabanatuan City on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities from the local and provincial police offices.

An initial report from Cabanatuan police forwarded by the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office said Bote was aboard a Toyota Fortuner with license plate AAB-2020 when he was shot multiple times, apparently with the use of a short firearm at around 4:50 p.m.

The report also said that Bote was rushed to the MV Gallego Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. He sustained several wounds in different parts of his body.

Officials said that local policemen are currently on the scene to investigate the incident, which comes a day after Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili was killed.

According to Senator Koko Pimentel, Party President of the (PDP-Laban), Bote is a member of the said party.

“Yes he was a partymate. Masakit na balita yan. Nakakalungkot (This is painful and sad news),” Pimentel said in a message on Tuesday. /ee